Category Archives: Developmental Milestones

#SummerofDad Week 11: Small Moments and Part 2 of an Interview with Ben Bui, SAHD

Gabe enjoying some fresh-picked, Maine raspberries.

Gabe enjoying some fresh-picked, Maine raspberries.

We wrapped up a week at the Jenny’s parent’s house, sadly departing our lovely lakeside retreat in Maine. Which is all to say, we’re on the road again, this time to NYC and then Seattle for almost two weeks. But the time in Maine was relaxing, as Gabe’s schedule was split between three adults (a great ratio for childcare), and I reflected a bit on my time being the primary parent.

One of the best parts about being the primary parent is that you get to witness, and sometime be the agent of, the small changes in your child’s behaviors and actions. They might start using a spoon as a tool (like, to eat) instead a toy (like, a yogurt catapult). Or maybe they learn to close a door or can identify their head (shoulders, knees, and/or toes).

And for some reason, I really love these small moments. I find them precious. And I mean “precious” in the literal meaning, “of great value,” not like how some creepy adults say it, He’s just so precious!, with its Gollem-like undertone of I’m-going-to-steal-your-baby-now. In any case, these small moments are the most special to me because they’re all around and constantly happening with young kids, if you keep your eyes open. The problem is that they’re so fleeting and near impossible to grasp and hold on to in any meaningful way.

Continue reading “#SummerofDad Week 11: Small Moments and Part 2 of an Interview with Ben Bui, SAHD” »

What’s She Doing Wednesday: It IS Wednesday, Right?

IMG_8962OK so the title doesn’t even have anything to really do with Jia, but it has to everything to do with what we’re going through at the moment. We have some huge huge news but it’s coming Friday at earliest an next Tuesday at latest.

Anyway what Jia’s been up to: Continue reading “What’s She Doing Wednesday: It IS Wednesday, Right?” »

What’s She Doing Wednesday: Father’s Day Art and More!

Blog Post WSDW 6.24.15Thanks for bearing with me while the blog was down last week. It was up and running yesterday so I’m catching up a little bit. Lots has been going on the past week. But, certain “other” details will follow in another post, for particular reasons…

Anyway so this week has been pretty fun with Jia. Things we’ve noticed: Continue reading “What’s She Doing Wednesday: Father’s Day Art and More!” »

#SummerofDad Week 4: Travel, News, and Food

IMG_8833This week marks the first week of ten weeks of travel, as we’re now on the road in Philadelphia. It also marks the first week of mostly primary parenting. I say “mostly” because my wife will still be helping out a ton, as will her parents for about a week, and of course the legions of babysitters across the land that will hang out with him. But I’ll be the primary, as Jenny is working on a bunch of really cool projects both on the phone with her agents and directors, and on the ground.

Speaking of which, we just found out that we’ll be covering a new piece of ground, as she was selected for another development project, this one in Chicago. The only time available to do it was the two weeks between our time in Waterford, CT and Seattle, WA—which is exactly where it fits! So now we’ll be doing four playwriting development series in four states (but with only one toddler, thank god). Holy logistics, Batman.

Continue reading “#SummerofDad Week 4: Travel, News, and Food” »

What’s She Doing Wednesday: “Bye Daddy”

Blog Post WSDW 6.18.15

So this picture has nothing to do with the title of this blog post, but Kyle (#SummerofDad) and his family met up with us in Baltimore for a little short visit to the Baltimore National Aquarium and I just love this picture! We are near the jellyfish sculptures where the Dolphin Experience is housed and the lighting was perfect… and I had to get a photo with these two little babies together, meeting for the first time! Aren’t they cute?

So I am posting a little late – time has really gotten away from me these last two days. I could’ve started writing a few days ago, which would’ve been in the best interest of time considering at any given day I may not get the chance to write up a post. But I didn’t.

Very exciting/busy/stressful/confusing/overwhelming things happening over here! I had an interview yesterday with Chamberlain College of Nursing, for a position as a Visiting Professor. I met with the Dean of Faculty and the President of the nursing school. Both were so nice and welcoming, and I wowed them enough that today I got a call from the recruiter and found out I got the job! So that starts the second week of July. The first couple months they just need someone to fill in with their nursing simulation lab working on health assessments for the nursing students and then after Labor Day, I’ll lead my own group of nursing students throughout an 8-week course on inpatient units taking care of patients. Yay, teaching baby nurses! Continue reading “What’s She Doing Wednesday: “Bye Daddy”” »

Water Safety for your Water Baby

Blog Post 6.13.15 Water Safety

June 21st marks the first day of Summer for 2015, but after Memorial Day a couple weekends ago, pool season is already under way. So what better timing than now, to address water safety? (for a quick jump to info on what to do in the event of drowning, click here)

Almost every new parent wonders “what should I make sure I’m doing?” when it comes to introducing your baby to water, and even if your baby already loves the water, you still want to be sure you’re doing all that you can to ensure your little ones’ safety. As fun and as peaceful as the water can be, it’s also a very dangerous and potentially deadly environment for your child if you don’t take certain precautions.

Water safety is important from birth up until childhood, so let’s brush up on some important things to know.  Continue reading “Water Safety for your Water Baby” »

What’s She Doing Wednesday: Toddler Trip Success!

Blog Post WSDW 6.10.15

Enjoying the contents of her Busy Bag!

This past weekend we went to Richmond, Virginia (about 2 hours south) for a family funeral. I searched and searched for a hotel that was a “suites” chain so that at least we would have a separate bedroom from the living room. That way we could put her to bed in her pack and play in the bedroom, close the door, and hang out in the common area. We settled on a Homewood Suites, located about 20 minutes away from the funeral and it was worth every penny (not that it was pricey). It had the pack and play, free hot breakfast, and an outdoor pool. As mentioned in last Saturday’s post (Traveling with your Sprout), all these are so beneficial when traveling with a baby or toddler, so we were thankful to have found a place that had all of these features, not inconvenient to the funeral’s location. Did I mention my parents booked the suite next door? That made things even better! We were able to score a night out on Saturday, to meet up with my childhood best friend. Plus they got some extra Jia time that they wouldn’t have had, had we stayed in separate hotels.  Continue reading “What’s She Doing Wednesday: Toddler Trip Success!” »